Enjoy

The Children’s Adventure Center (CAC) is planning a “get to know us” event on Saturday, June 7, from 11 am to 1 pm, to showcase its spruced up playground, a bright Sunshine Room, and a new “Joy of Books” Library recently donated by The Rotary Club of Newtown. Board members and parents will be serving a free lunch consisting of children’s: pizza, salad and wraps, as well as ice cream and watermelon. CAC Director Judy Sims and professional staff will conduct tours and explain the early childhood experience offered at the center. Children and parents can also enjoy the center’s playground, including a wooden train playscape donated last summer by the CAC Parent Group, and children will be treated to pony rides courtesy of Glen Morris of Woodbury.

Luke McCarthy, 2, was the first child entered in 2014’s Beautiful Baby Photo Contest. His entry photo has been placed in #1 spot on the voting booth, which will go on public display and begin receiving votes this weekend. The photo booth will be put on display Friday, June 7, from 5 to 9 pm, for the opening night of Sandy Hook LobsterFest. It will remain on display during both nights of the annual event, which continues Saturday, June 7, and then move to Stop & Shop in Sand Hill Plaza until June 22. The public is invited to vote for their favorite child by putting a $1 bill into the slot accompanying each child’s photo. The photo that raises the highest amount of month at the end of the contest period will win that child and their parents a chauffeur driven ride in the Newtown Labor Day Parade on September 1.

Soaring With the Eagles, a free camp for blind or visually impaired children, is being offered this year through the Leaps of Faith (LOF) Adaptive Skiers. LOF coordinators and volunteers will be hosting the innovative four-day adaptive water sports day camp in Sandy Hook for children ages 6-17 from June 24-27. “There are currently no multi-day adaptive waterski/wakeboard camps for visually impaired/blind children in the Northeast and we are very excited to be hosting this unique water sports camp,” said LOF Adaptive Skiers Executive Director Joel Zeisler. Openings for the free camp are still available; advance registration is required.

On Wednesday, June 11, the ongoing series The Joy of Art with Joy Hoffman at C.H. Booth Library will host a special guest: children’s author and illustrator Lizzy Rockwell. Ms Rockwell is the illustrator of numerous books and games for children, and is the author and illustrator of "Good Enough to Eat," "Hello Baby," "The Busy Body Book" and "Plants Feed Me." During two free presentations that afternoon, Ms Rockwell will read from her latest book, and also talk about the process of writing and illustrating books for children.

Members of Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Co., its Ladies Auxiliary, Junior Corps, and even family members and friends will all be volunteering their time to put on the 27th Annual Sandy Hook LobsterFest, a fundraiser for the company, on Friday and Saturday, June 6 and 7. Dinner will be served from 5 to 9 pm on Friday, and 4 to 9 pm on Saturday. A full steak or lobster dinner with plenty of sides and a drink are covered by tickets; surf and turf tickets are also available. Takeout orders can be set up.

Ben’s Lighthouse, the hosts of the second annual Lighthouse Festival, is pleased to announce Sara Hoagland Hunter, author of "Lighthouse Santa," will be a special guest for this year’s festival. Ms Hunter’s book, with gorgeous illustrations by Julia Miner, is based on the real-life exploits of Edward Rowe Snow, who delivered Christmas presents to lighthouse keepers’ children for almost fifty years. The Lighthouse Festival, themed “Safe Harbors,” will take place on Saturday, June 14, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 36 Main Street. The festival runs from 10 am to 4 pm and is open to all. Admission is free.

Attention young poets, jugglers, singers, mimes, magicians, comedians, rappers, dancers, actors, horn players, et al: the seventh monthly Saturday Night Open Mic For Newtown Youth will take place Saturday, June 7, from 7:30 to 9:15 pm. The events are held in The Great Room at Newtown Congregational Church. Performers should be in grades 5-12. Microphones, keyboard, guitar amp and more will be available. Although the age of performers is limited, all family members and residents of all ages are welcome to attend.

The Newtown Juggling & Circus Arts Club will be meeting from 3 to 5 pm on Saturday, May 31, at the park in Sandy Hook Center. Members love to teach juggling and related skills. No experience required. All ages are welcome.

The Graceful Planet’s Dance Ensembles will offer a special performance of some of their award-winning dance ensembles this weekend. The public is invited to Reed Intermediate School on Saturday, May 31, for a 1 pm performance. Admission on Saturday is $8 for adults, and $5 for children, payable at the door.

Flagpole Photographers is a local non-profit group that enables members to share their images and expertise, to learn and grow in their photography, and to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow photographers. Members are from diverse backgrounds, with photographic skills ranging from beginning novices to professional photographers. On Thursday, May 29, the club will host a “Program Night,” featuring an open discussion on photography tips and tricks on shooting portraits. All levels of camera enthusiasts are encouraged to attend. On Thursday, June 12, at 7:30 pm, the club will host a general meeting and members' photo competition. Meanwhile, Flagpole Photographers Camera Club is presenting its 2014 Annual Exhibition until June 12.